Final article from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity about the meeting:

www.christianunity.va/content/unit...

After a time of concluding prayer we all went our separate ways. Thursday was my travel day, so I returned to the Casa Romana on Traspontina for a meal and a good night of sleep. I was absolutely zonked, but also full of joy for our time together. It was a good 3 days.

Having finally decided on Sept 1-3, 2026, we got to work on the draft of our communiqué. You can read it here:

www.christianunity.va/content/unit...

We then returned to our working groups to, well, work! Finally we came back together in our plenary to decide one the truly contentious issue: the dates of our next meeting! I say that only partly tongue in cheek, as it isn't easy finding a common date for 24 people.

Our day began with a special private audience with the Pope. He greeted each of us one by one, offered a few remarks of encouragement, and then we had a group photo. Archbishop Flavio Pace was interviewed by Vatican News about the meeting:

vaticannews.va/en/vatican-cit…

Finally, as a personal treat, I ran into Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries, Saint Lucia. We met back in 2003, when I had been a priest for barely a year and he was bishop in Dominica, and here we were, 22 years later. A most pleasant random encounter!

We then went out to dinner together, where we also met up with reps from various Protestant groups who have permanent representation in Rome.

We also received presenters from four ecumenical centres in Rome, who shared on their various programs. I wish there was a program for the training of ecumenical officers, but alas. Perhaps I need to design one.

Most of our day was spent listening to representatives of the different Roman dicasteries, who presented the work they do. Many of the World Council of Churches reps shared with me how they found it helpful, as they of course have much less familiarity with the inner workings.